Eight companies have been selected to participate in the American Heart Association® Heart and Brain Health Accelerator, a specialty track within the 2026 MedTech Innovator® (MTI) Accelerator. The track is designed to advance novel medical or digital health technologies aligned with the lifesaving mission of the Association. The companies were chosen from a highly competitive global pool as part of MTI’s overall 2026 cohort, representing some of the most promising early- and mid-stage medical technology startups advancing solutions for cardiovascular health.
Through this collaboration with MTI, American Heart Association Ventures™ and the Association’s Studio Red continue to identify and support innovation that aims to improve patient outcomes, expand access to care and address critical gaps in cardiovascular and neurological health. “Novel approaches to tackling today’s most pressing challenges are what will drive us forward in addressing the age-old challenges of improving heart and brain health,” said Lisa Suennen, managing partner of American Heart Association Ventures. “Through the Heart and Brain Health Accelerator, we are connecting high-potential companies with the expertise, resources and networks needed to bring more trustworthy, rapid and impactful product and service advancements to patients and the clinicians who care for them.”
The 2026 cohort includes: Cerevia Neurosciences, developing a non-invasive neuromodulation platform for dementia; Chambertech, advancing minimally invasive hybrid ablation for atrial fibrillation; Envera Medical, focusing on a neurovascular balloon catheter for safer embolization; Eupnoos, using acoustic breath biomarkers for heart failure detection at home; Flux Robotics, creating magnetically guided systems for navigating complex arteries; Lucentia, turning routine CT scans into virtual CCTA for early heart disease detection; OMINI, developing a portable point-of-care platform for monitoring chronic diseases; and Prima Medical, offering real-time AI guidance for pulsed field ablation.
The cohort was selected by an American Heart Association advisory committee of clinical, investment and industry experts, who evaluated applicants based on innovation, clinical impact and potential to improve patient care. As members of the accelerator, companies receive specialized mentorship, coaching and capacity building from American Heart Association Ventures. They also become official members of the MedTech Innovator program, gaining access to networking opportunities, funding and increased visibility within the medical technology industry.
Participants qualify to compete in the MedTech Innovator Competition Finals, held at the MedTech Conference on October 18-21, 2026, in Boston. They are also included in the inaugural MTI Index, a new recognition platform highlighting the most promising medtech companies advancing innovation and commercialization. This accelerator underscores the American Heart Association's commitment to driving breakthroughs in cardiovascular and brain health, leveraging strategic partnerships to bring transformative technologies to patients and clinicians worldwide.
